Trevelyan College
MCR
Handbook 2021/2 2
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Contents The Collegiate System in Durham ...... 4 The MCR ...... 5 About the MCR ...... 5 MCR Dues ...... 5 MCR Meetings ...... 9 Social Events ...... 10 The College ...... 11 College Staff ...... 11 Durham Students’ Union ...... 14 A strong student voice ...... 14 Academic representation ...... 14 Almost 200 student groups offering activities for you to enjoy ...... 14 Advice service ...... 14 The JCR ...... 15 Social Events ...... 15 The SCR ...... 16 Associate Membership ...... 16 Social Events ...... 16 Clubs & Societies ...... 17 Formals ...... 19 Joint formals ...... 19 MCR ...... 19 SCR ...... 19 The Bar ...... 20 Georgia Missen - Sabbatical Bar Steward ...... 21 General Facilities ...... 21 Mowlam Room ...... 21 Buttery ...... 21 Library ...... 22 Sports ...... 22 Music ...... 22 Computing ...... 22 TV & Video ...... 23 Board Games...... 23 Living In ...... 24 Dining ...... 24 Laundries ...... 24 Pantries ...... 24 Living Out ...... 26 The City of Durham ...... 27 Other Colleges ...... 27 Things to Do ...... 28 Newcastle ...... 29 Other Places to Visit ...... 30
To the new members of Trevelyan College MCR,
Welcome to Trevelyan College Middle Common Room, the central hub of activity at Trevs for all postgraduates! My name is Rory, and I am the outgoing President of this common room. My job is to represent all members of the MCR to both the College, and the wider University, and with the executive committee, to make your time at Trevs the best it can be. I’m really looking forward to everyone arriving and meeting you all, as well as getting to know you better over the novel year to come.
First things first, please do join the Trevelyan MCR 21/22 Facebook group that has been set up for this year as it’s the simplest way to keep up to date on the goings on in the MCR, as well as a chance to introduce yourself before you get here! The timetable for the welcome week events will be posted on here. Also, make sure you regularly check your University email account, as this is the primary way I, College staff, and other members of the exec will be in touch.
Once you get here and are settled in, the first event to take place will be the MCR welcome formal, the very first formal of the year, and a great Durham tradition. An invitation will be sent out when we have been able to finalise the details, and please, please do RSVP the invitation, otherwise you will not be able to attend! Dress code is lounge suits. It is an excellent introduction to Trevs and is a great way to meet other postgraduate students.
You will also need a gown for both college matriculation and the MCR photo (they will also be needed for many college formals throughout the year). They can be bought at Gray and Sons in town (we will be doing several trips there over Induction week) for £57. The MCR will also be selling second-hand gowns at £30, which you can buy when you arrive, but be aware, once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Whether you will only be here for a year, or several, the MCR is here to support you throughout your studies in any way we can. If you have any questions at all, even if they seem small or silly (trust me, they won’t be!), feel free to get in contact with me via email or the Facebook group as mentioned above. As we get closer to move in day in September, I will be making sure to keep you up to date with the plans. Everyone is working hard to make sure we all have a safe and enjoyable year.
Sincerely, Rory Rory Clarkson Trevelyan College MCR President 2020/21 [email protected]
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The Collegiate System in Durham
Every student at Durham belongs to a College as well as to the University. There are 16 Colleges in Durham, each with a very different character and reputation; however, all offer excellent opportunities and support for their students, and are certainly a unique and enriching way to experience university life.
Durham Colleges are principally social and pastoral in nature, with teaching delivered separately by the academic departments. However, the College staff have your academic wellbeing as one of their top priorities. Several academically oriented events and opportunities to present research are organised within the Colleges, and here in Trevs we are proud of our flourishing research programmes.
Within your College you can expect to have your academic and pastoral welfare well looked after, have opportunities to take part in a range of social events, find a wealth of information on all aspects of the University and the City, and, in the meanwhile, develop lasting friendships within an excellent community.
At Trevs, we pride ourselves on having the very best community spirit out of all the colleges in Durham. We are strong in music and sport, have an excellent academic achievement record, and we excel in research programmes. Perhaps most importantly, Trevs is a place where you can quickly settle and get involved in College life with the minimum of fuss or stress. Living under one roof we are able to form tight bonds within small groups, something which will be of massive benefit this year. If you are living out though, don’t worry, you will still be welcome at college at any time; it’s still your home too.
Of course, Durham would not be Durham without a diverse range of Colleges, and we at Trevs take great pleasure in interacting with students from other Colleges. Chances are you will have to do this anyway and will thoroughly enjoy it, whether it is on your course, while sampling the other College bars, playing sport, or by attending inter-MCR Formals (more on these later on!).
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The MCR
About the MCR The MCR (Middle Common Room) is the student body for postgraduates and is separate from college. It is essentially responsible for ensuring that your student experience in Trevs is as good as it can possibly be. As well as organising regular social events such as formal dinners, bar nights and trips out, we also represent postgraduate students in College and across the University on a wide range of relevant issues. We have our own dedicated website, which is currently being updated, and will soon be used once again to provide different types of information to students, as well as to run things like officer elections. I will be sending out an email once it is done and reminding you to keep checking it throughout the year. The common room is run by you, for you, so please get involved and make the most of it. College is an academic and social place, one which builds multiple support networks to help you through your time as a postgrad and offers you a place to call home on the hill.
MCR Dues In order to run all the events and activities that we do, the MCR charges a small fee of £35, called the “MCR Due”. This is makes you a full member of the MCR and gives you access to all the MCR run events and activities, as well as many ran by the JCR as we are tied closely with them. The benefits of membership include:
Participating in MCR Elections Running for positions within the MCR Attending MCR, Full College, and SCR Formals Being able to join any of the societies, musical groups, and sports teams in college Access to the Mowlam Room Access to free photocopying within college Attending and presenting at MCR research events
In addition, by being a member of the MCR you benefit from reduced prices on events such as Summer Ball, Informal Ball etc., compared to if you opt out, and reduced price on gym membership.
Although you are thoroughly encouraged to be part of the MCR, as your experience of Trevs will be far richer and more entertaining if you are, there is no formal obligation to do so. As a result, you have the right to not take up membership and thus not pay any fees. This year we are using the Event Durham system and a payment link will be sent out by college.
If you have any questions about MCR dues, please contact Rory at [email protected].
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The MCR Exec
President: Rory Clarkson PhD English Literature [email protected]
Hi, I’m Rory and I’ll be your President for the first few weeks of the coming year before handing over to whoever you elect next. My role is to represent you in college and in the University. I’m here as your first point of contact if you have anything you want to discuss, and I will do my utmost to ensure you get the most out of your college experience. Please feel free to contact me with any ideas, queries or concerns you might have. I will be living in college, so come up and visit me if you have any questions or drop me an email if the walk up seems too far. I will normally be in the Mowlam room, the bar, or the library.
Vice President: Vacant
The Vice President is responsible for organising college research events and running the G.M. Trevelyan Research Prize towards the start of summer. They also have the unenviable task of deputising for the President if they are unable to fulfil their duties.
Treasurer: Vacant
The treasurer has the responsibility of paying the MCR’s bills, collecting debts and making sure the MCR does not go bankrupt. On the upside, it is also their job to spend your MCR membership fees on anything and everything that will make the MCR a better place, so if you have any suggestions please get in contact with them.
Social Secretary: Vacant
The duty of the Social Secretary is to organise what nefarious social activities may occur in Trevs during your time here. From formals to soirees in other colleges, to events in town they will make sure that you are up to date with all activities going on in Durham. There are lots of events spread out across the year, and plenty of chances to get involved to make sure you have the best Durham experience. We’ll be opening elections for social sec in October.
Secretary: Vacant
The Secretary is responsible for all communication between the Exec and MCR members, sending out the Weekly Newsletter, updating the MCR website and notice boards in college and taking minutes at meetings. We will be looking for a new Secretary this October, please email [email protected] is you are interested in taking on this position.
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Services Officer: Vacant
The Services officer is responsible for looking after all the MCR facilities in college like the pantries and the Mowlam Room; if anything breaks or goes missing from here please let them know and they’ll try and get it fixed as soon as possible! They also represent the MCR at catering committee to relay anything comments, questions or problems livers-in have about meals. Finally they also help the social secretaries with some of the more practical aspects of social events held in college, helping get everything set up and organised.
Sabbatical Bar Steward: Georgia Missen [email protected]
Hey! I’m Georgia, your Sabbatical Bar Steward (Bar Sabb for short). My role differs slightly to most of the other Exec members, as I graduated from Trevs in July and will be working full-time as the Trevs Bar Manager. My job consists of many things including (but not limited to):
- Management, administration and finances - Stock control - Promoting Alcohol Awareness throughout College - Designing drink specials for College events - Hiring new junior and senior staff members - look out for applications in Michaelmas term if you’re interested in joining the team!
Most importantly, the bar functions as an enjoyable, sociable and well-loved spatial hub within Trevs. It is therefore my responsibility to ensure that the bar upholds its reputation as one of the best stocked college bars in Durham, but also accommodates for all students to benefit from, whether you drink alcohol or not. If you have any questions about the bar or suggestions of improvement, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the bar’s email address or find me in College, where I’ll most likely be in the bar itself!
DSU Representative: Freddie Green
Hello Trevs! I’m Freddie and I’ll be your Student’s Union Representative this year. My job is: Representing Trevs to the Student’s Union, which in turn represents all students to the university. Voting on what the SU should do and what policies we should adopt. Making sure you know what the SU is doing. Running SU-related elections in Colleges, which sometimes has rewards and alpacas involved (long story…) Get in touch if you want to know more about how your university represents YOU!
MCR Chair: Vacant
The chair is an impartial source of information for the MCR and responsible for organising meetings, elections, the constitution and standing orders. If you are interested in running in an
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election, bringing a motion or discussion point to an MCR meeting, or have any kind of question about the MCR please don’t hesitate to get in contact with them.
International Representative: Vacant
As our MCR is made up in the large majority by international students we have a rep specifically to represent their needs within the MCR and as a point of contact for any problems that arise due to their international status. As with many of the other positions, we will be electing an international rep in October, and if you have any questions contact [email protected]
Welfare Representative: Vacant
The Welfare Rep is in charge of welfare for the MCR and works closely with the JCR Welfare Rep/s. They’re here to make sure everyone is doing okay, and not struggling with Trevs life. Keep an ear out for drop-ins and stress-relief events!
Music Representative: Vacant
The Music Rep is in charge of organising music events such as MCR unplugged. They also makes sure that musical acts are present at formals to make things extra classy! Keep an eye on the Facebook page and Newsletter for upcoming events!
Associates Representative: Vacant
The Associates Rep is responsible for representing the interests of MCR associates within the MCR. They can help with explaining what it means to be an associate member and informing associates of events in college.
If any of these roles interest you then please do apply at the start of term or drop me an email to ask specific questions. A strong exec really helps give you all the best experience.
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MCR Meetings
The main formal purpose of the MCR is to represent postgrads. As such the MCR holds regular MCR Meetings, which are your chance to air your views, elect your Exec and other Officers, and have a general discussion about the business of the MCR.
MCR meetings are chaired by the MCR Chair, and follow a general format as follows:
• Reports - by the Executive Committee and non-executive officers – this is your chance to find out what the Exec have been doing on your behalf, to ask them any questions that you may have, or to mandate them to do something that you want done. It is also a time for the Executive Officers to pass on information to the MCR, which could range from college business to formals.
• Motions - the MCR has a formal way of making changes to its Constitution, Standing Orders, or of formalising any decisions that affect the MCR. These are through the passing of motions by a majority of a quorate MCR general meeting. Motions can be proposed and seconded by any member of the MCR, and usually require the author to state why they believe the change is needed, how the MCR will benefit from the change, and what changes need to be physically made.
• Elections - every year, and periodically throughout the year when required, the MCR must elect individuals to officer roles in order to keep the MCR going each year. Elections take the form of short speeches by those running for positions (known as ‘husts’) followed by a vote online. Elections are administered by the MCR Chair.
• Any other business – for anything else that people are worried about or want to raise that has not already been said.
Example Motion
This MCR Notes that: • MCR meetings are usually quite laborious affairs. • That MCR members appreciate the finer things in life. • That Tesco sells champagne at attractive prices.
This MCR Believes that: • The supply of champagne for all MCR meetings would allow the business of meetings to be conducted in a far more convivial atmosphere. • That a little social lubrication would also increase the productivity of MCR meetings considerably. • That all MCR members deserve enjoyable MCR meetings.
This MCR Resolves to: • Purchase and supply at least 4 bottles of champagne for every MCR meeting of the year. • To do so out of the back pocket of the MCR Treasurer. • To ignore any unfounded and quite frankly unreasonable objections the MCR Treasurer might have to this motion.
Proposed by – xxxxxx Seconded by – xxxxxxx
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Social Events
Postgrads at Trevs have a long history of being very sociable; most nights of the week a group of us can be found in the College Bar, the Mowlam Room, or if the occasion demands it at a different college bar. As well as this, we organise a variety of social events providing the opportunity to interact with other postgrads from the College or across the University. Perhaps the core interaction of the MCR as a community has become the MCR Formal Dinners, at which we dress smartly and sit down together for an evening meal. People are encouraged to invite guests be they from other colleges or friends from home in order to give them an experience they will never forget. Formals are organised by our executive committee and so each student has the opportunity to recommend a theme, suggest an academic speaker for after the meal or just make sure they are sat next to their friends. The annual Inter-MCR Formal has become a real tradition, which sees Trevs host a special formal gathering together postgrads from all the other colleges in celebration of the ‘birthday’ of the MCR in early November. There is an entire section on formals later in the handbook for further details. Occasionally we also organise day trips to visit places that are less easy to visit on your own. For example trips we have been on in the past few years include Lindisfarne and Beamish Museum, as well as Newcastle during welcome week. If anyone is interested in recommending a trip then make sure to mention it to a member of the exec. Academic events
The MCR offers a range of opportunities for postgraduates to present their research, academic or otherwise, to a friendly and encouraging audience. Whether you want to practice for a specific upcoming presentation, gain experience in presenting to an audience either knowledgeable or not, or simply show your friends what you have been working on, we organise lots of events that will give you the chance to do this. Here is a taster of what we do at the moment:
The G. M. Trevelyan Research Prize – this annual research prize is open to all postgrads and associate MCR members to enter and is administered by the Vice President. This event gives people the opportunity to really showcase their work, whether you are a taught or research student, in a relaxed environment, but with the added incentive of a cash prize and your name on an honours board should your research be adjudged the best in terms of current research and how much potential it shows. Individuals enter themselves into one of three categories depending on the stage that their research is at, and three or four people are shortlisted to present their work at a Formal in the third term of the year. The Prize enters its third year this year and is already established as one of the highlights on the MCR’s social and academic calendar. Research Buffets – a very casual and relaxed opportunity for three or four people to present what they have been working on, while sharing a meal and a drink with members of the JCR, MCR and SCR. These buffets happen usually once per term and are great fun for all concerned - an ideal place to acquire and build upon presentation experience.
H.M.Evans Music Prize – a college wide classical music prize organised by the MCR. It brings together the musical talent within the college and has an extremely high standard.
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The College
College Staff
Principal: Professor Adekunle Adeyeye [email protected]
I am excited to be joining Durham University as Principal of Trevelyan College and Professor of Physics. Prior to Durham, I have been involved in student life at the National University of Singapore as founding Master of Ridge View Residential College. After almost 20 enriching years living in Asia, I am looking forward to returning to the UK with my family. At Trevelyan, I have overall responsibility for the direction of the College and will work in close collaboration with the other College Officers to maximise your student experience. For the duration of your time at Trevelyan, I hope you will have the boldness and tenacity to venture out of your comfort zone, explore and achieve amazing things that will serve as a launch pad to your future success. I look forward to meeting you all soon. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me or my staff. Acting Vice Principal: Dr Martin Brader [email protected] The Vice-Principal supports the Principal with the management of the College and has responsibility for student enrichment. In this role, the Vice-Principal works with students, staff, SCR members and alumni to develop opportunities, events, and activities for personal development at Trevelyan. In addition, the Vice-Principal supports the Principal with alumni engagement activities, marketing and communications, and student discipline. If you have any queries about student enrichment activities, or would like to speak with the Vice-Principal, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the College Office.
Community Operations Manager: Janice Ware [email protected] My role in College encompasses most of the hospitality and service provision, including catering, porterage, housekeeping, student events, and maintenance services. If you need advice or have any questions or requests please feel free to drop by, I operate an open door policy. My office is located on the ground floor of G block.
Assistant Operations Manager: Jim Johnson
I have worked for the University for over 25 years, starting at Van Mildert in 1991 and moving to Hatfield and Castle in 2008. I am new to Trevelyan as I only started here in April 2016 having felt the “force” and left the dark side to join Trev’s Jedi army. As Assistant Operations Manager
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it is my responsibility to manage the porters and to maintain our buildings so you will often see me rushing around with my tool box. My office is opposite the JCR Office so please pop in if you have any questions.
Student Development and Support Officer [email protected] This role supports the Principal in matters pertaining to the support, development, and wellbeing of Trevelyan students. They will listen to any concerns that you have in confidence and point you in the right direction, liaising with academic departments and central services on matters such as health, finances, absences, examinations, and concessions.
College Librarian: Mr Tim Fowler [email protected] Though originally from Northern Ireland, I’ve lived and worked in Durham since 1985. I’m a graduate of the University-not Trevs; they didn’t let boys in when I was a student! I’m a College Mentor at Trevelyan and am a passionate advocate of the College system. I’ve run the library here since January 2003 and together with my team of Student Librarians and library assistants I aim to provide a first-class library service and relaxed working environment. When I’m not being a librarian, I’m and artist working in digital media, obsessive music fan and occasional DJ.
College Administration Co-Ordinator: Kayleann Hoye I am responsible for College administration at Trevelyan. Acting as the first point of contact for many internal and external stakeholders the administration coordinator is a central role and contributes to the smooth running of the College. I am secretary to our College Principal and support both the Principal and Vice Principal in delivering an exceptional student experience. Any general queries you have please do not hesitate to contact me via [email protected] I will always help you in any way possible. Head Chef: Robbie Cummins & Food Service Manager: Dawn Purdy [email protected] Responsible for dealing regarding food service-if you have any special requirements regarding dining then please get in touch to discuss you dietary needs with us.
College Porters: David Gillham, Alan Bewick, Martin Allan, Kevin Felton-Pitt, Stephen Beighton The Porters are amazing folk! They are on duty 24 hours seven days a week, and should be your first port of call for any miscellaneous question that you don’t have an answer to, or if anything
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goes wrong with your room or pantry. They are all fully first aid trained, and are here to make sure that college functions practically on a daily basis – they do so much more than simply organise the mail and change light bulbs. If you have any practical problem, big or small, the Porters are the guys to ask.
Receptionist: Kath Cullen [email protected] I am one of the first people you will see when you come into College. Please ask me if you have any questions about meal cards, parcels, etc. I also work alongside the Porters in the Lodge, so when they are not available, please consult me.
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Durham Students’ Union
Durham Students’ Union is the organisation that supports and represents all Durham University students. Whether you are interested in joining one of our fantastic student groups, would like to get involved in student representation on a local or a national level, are keen to build up your CV with training and development experience, or perhaps you need help with something more serious, such as being represented on academic matters, we are here to make sure you get the most of your student experience.
A strong student voice
The Union works independently from the University, to make sure your voice is heard. Every year five student officers are elected to lead Durham Students’ Union. This team liaises with the University, colleges, local community and the National Union of Students, to represent students on the issues that are important to you.
Academic representation
Every course in the University has an elected course rep who is responsible for representing you on academic matters. They ensure that your voice is heard on issues about your course, academic support, lecturers or study space. This allows academic staff members to identify what is working well and what problems might exist, to ensure positive changes are made.
Almost 200 student groups offering activities for you to enjoy
In addition to college societies, Durham Students’ Union has almost 200 student groups, including societies, media, associations and our fundraising arm DUCK. These cover a wide range of interests from dancing to charitable causes and from academic societies to music and the arts. If none of the existing groups interest you, we will help you to set up your own!
Advice service
We offer free, confidential and independent guidance and support on a wide range of issues including finance, accommodation, colleges, contracts or anything else you may need help with.
For further information about the Union, visit www.durhamsu.com, www.facebook.com/durhamSU, or www.twitter.com/durhamSU
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The JCR The JCR (Junior Common Room) is run by the JCR Exec as well as a number of other officers and committees (e.g. Social Committee, JCR Committee, Steering Committee). As a paying member of the MCR you have the right to access all social events, services and facilities run by the JCR.
JCR President: Alannah Life
The profiles, roles and responsibilities of the JCR Exec can be found on the JCR website (trevsjcr.com) or in the JCR Handbook, copies of which are available on request. You will no doubt come into contact with these people quite a lot as the year goes on as they make quite a few things happen in college, from Joint formals to laundry and pantry provision. They will be happy to discuss anything within their remit, although of course there is usually a relevant MCR representative who can also help.
Social Events
The JCR run a number of social events throughout the year, to which the MCR are always invited, the most notable of which are:
Informal Ball
At the end of Michaelmas term, just before Christmas, this is a fancy dress ball. Starting with a meal in College, the night proceeds with discos and other frivolities until about 2am; a worthwhile end to the term.
Lunar New Year
A celebratory evening organised by the International Reps from both common rooms, along with their team, giving a taste of Chinese culture with origami, lantern painting, and loads of great food to try!
Summer Ball
Run after undergraduate exams have finished in June, the Summer Ball is like the Informal Ball, but scaled up and a little more formal, this one runs right through until dawn, with a survivors' photo to prove you made it. Trevs Day Held after exams, Trevs Day is an opportunity for the entire College to get together and celebrate being a Trevelyanite. The back lawn becomes awash with sunbathers enjoying Pimms on tap, fairground style attractions and a themed formal. Trevstock Usually held out in the Quad, Trevstock is Trevs’ very own end of year music festival, giving the best musical talent that Trevs has to offer the chance to perform in a relaxed and convivial environment.
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There is a charge for a number of events such as the balls and bops (including the Fresher’s bop). Tickets can be bought at the beginning of the year (and paid in instalments), which offers discounted rates. The Platinum Pass includes Freshers’ Bop, Informal Ball, Trevs Night, Summer Ball) costs £75, saving you £25 on the door price. The Ents pass costs £70 and does not include the Freshers’ bop. Only MCR members are eligible for these prices.
The SCR
SCR President: Currently Vacant
The SCR (Senior Common Room) is made up of Undergraduate Mentors, academics attached to the College and other people from the local area and further afield who are attached to the College. The SCR also have a comfortable common room in College with some nice paintings, newspapers and a TV, open for the use of all members and associate members of the SCR. Associate Membership As a member of the MCR, you are also offered associate membership of the SCR. This is free and gives you the right to use the SCR common room, sit at high table at mealtimes, and attend SCR formals. Social Events Again, the main event in the SCR social calendar is SCR Formals. The annual BBQ is also a must and there are also walks and other outings organised. Look out for the termly SCR newsletter for more details, as well as the SCR website, www.dur.ac.uk/trevelyan.scr
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Clubs & Societies As a member of the MCR, Trevs offers you the chance to get involved with a huge variety of different Clubs and Societies, and virtually every single person in college gets stuck in to something or the other. There is so much choice that you are certain to find something you enjoy. College Clubs and Societies are exactly the right place to develop an interest you already have, or, even better, to try something new. Clubs and Societies are administered by the JCR (although are open to all common rooms) so more details can be found on their website. Amongst the ones currently running are:
Musical and drama:
Trevelyan College Musical Society
Hill College Theatre Company
Sixth Side Theatre Company
Trevelyan A Cappella
Trevelyan Choir
Trevelyan Orchestral Society
Trevelyan Flute Choir
Trevs String
Trevs Jazz
Other Societies:
Film Society
Art Society
Fine Art Committee
Photography Society
Chess Society
Croquet Society
Debating Society
Games Society
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Sports:
Badminton: Men's and Women's
Tennis
Squash: Men's and Women's
Netball
Lacrosse (Mixed)
Rugby: Men's and Women's
Hockey: Men's and Women's
Ultimate Frisbee
Cheerleading
Rowing
Football: Men's and Women's
Basketball: Men's and Women's
Indoor Climbing
Darts
Cricket
Pool
Table Tennis
Cycling
Quidditch
In Durham, there are two levels of sport: College and University. In general the University sports clubs compete on a more serious level, travelling to other universities all over the country, whereas the College teams only compete against each other, and will require less commitment. The sports charge, which insures you for all sport, is required for most things, and also gives you access to sporting facilities at Maiden Castle, 25 minutes' walk from Trevs.
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Formals
Formals are an occasion where the whole college sits down to enjoy a three-course meal together in the dining hall in formal dress, and for most formals we also wear an academic gown. Gowns can either be purchased second hand from the Exec upon arrival in Trevs for £30 (of which there is a limited supply, strictly first come, first served!), or new from Grey and Sons in town for £57 (prices are approximate). Formals are fantastic events, and inevitably result in ridiculous amount of fun. There is usually a bar night put on afterwards with student DJs (just ask the MCR exec if you are interested in DJing at a formal), so as you can imagine Formals constitute a highlight of the college’s social calendar.
As a member of the MCR you will have the opportunity to attend thee different types of formal in Trevs - MCR formals, Joint Formals, and SCR formals (something no other common room gets to do!)
Joint formals
These happen once a fortnight, on alternative Tuesday and Thursday nights; they are generally £4.50 for livers in and cost £6.50 for livers out. They bring together the JCR, MCR and SCR, hence the name, and are your standard Formal in Trevs. Wine is purchased beforehand from the bar, signup is through the JCR Formal Website, and these formals are always gowned.
There are a few rules that you need to know for Joint Formals, and these are strictly enforced!
You have to be there on time! If you arrive after doors have closed you will not be allowed in Once started you can’t stand up until the presidents have bowed out. If you have to leave for some reason you wont be able to come back in. Gowns must be worn until the high table have sat down. You can’t use your mobile at all!
MCR
Generally occurring once a term these are smaller and more relaxed affairs than Joint formals, but are of higher quality when it comes to food, and are one of the formals where gowns are not compulsory. Sign-up is through the Social Secretaries. On the first night after all new postgraduates have arrived in College we will have an MCR Welcome Formal, which is free, and which we encourage you all to attend! Please do get back to us as detailed with any dietary requirements so we can plan accordingly!
SCR
As SCR associates, all postgraduates have the right to attend SCR formals, which usually happen a few times a term. A usually exemplary four-course meal is provided with pre-drinks on sale beforehand in the SCR and they are often followed by a talk (further details are available in the SCR Newsletter). Gowns are again not compulsory. Bookings are made via reception (0191 3347 011).
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The Bar
I am proud to say that Trevs Bar is one of the best stocked and best run bars in Durham, mainly because our staff and patrons are genuinely invested in it. This short section will take you through the bar’s stock and its important role within college life, so you can really make the most of it throughout your time at Trevs. Many people are surprised when they see the extent of the range of products on offer. We have a huge range of spirits, from craft gins and rums, to flavoured vodkas and shots - and our beloved ‘miscellaneous shelf’ is home to pretty much every liqueur you can think of! Alongside our standard range, we offer a special gin, rum and vodka of the week, which change on a regular basis so that there will always be something new to try. Last year we were featured in a Palatinate article that praised our extensive range of whiskies and following the launch of our comprehensive cocktail and mocktail menu, we are always looking for new ways to expand our service. On draught we have three lagers and a craft lager as standard, a rotating cask ale tap, two cider taps and two rotating craft cider taps, not forgetting the old faithful Guinness, without which no bar would be complete. Trevs Bar also has two well-loved fridges, dedicated exclusively to beer and cider respectively. Our beer fridge is stocked with a huge variety ranging from craft lagers and IPAs to wheat beers, porters and stouts, from small artisan breweries to more well-known brands like Beavertown and Brewdog. Similarly, the cider fridge hosts popular fruity and apple ciders, as well as craft cider specials. We have another fridge dedicated to wine, which is a popular choice for many on a Formal night. We have a surprisingly big range of wines for a college bar, stocking more premium and sparkling wines (even Champagne!) and bottles that come in half and single- serve sizes if you're not wanting to buy a whole bottle. In addition to our alcoholic products, we also offer a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll find all your classic softies, as well as some more interesting artisan varieties. We are also one of the few college bars to stock alcohol-free beer and not one, but two varieties of Seedlip non- alcoholic spirit. However, if there is a product you would like to see behind the bar, just ask for it and I’ll do my best to get it in! Some of the products that we currently sell were bought in specially after a customer request, and we’re always looking for ways to make our stock more interesting. Moreover, because the bar runs as a service to college, we can keep our prices low. Draught products start from £1.80 and spirits from £1.60, and our premium products are only marginally more expensive, meaning that students can taste different products and learn what they like, without breaking the bank. One of the biggest things we try to push each year is promotion of our amazing stock, so that students are encouraged to buy better quality drinks rather than just what is cheapest. As well as opening in the evening, we also run a coffee bar between 11.30am – 4pm, that serves freshly made barista-style coffee at a fraction of the price of most university cafes and local coffee shops. Alongside coffees, we offer a huge variety of flavoured and standard teas, smoothies and cakes as a little pick me up for during the day. The coffee bar also acts as a great study space in the day, offering a more chilled alternative to the library. Furthermore, the bar is used extensively for college events of all sizes and is a well-loved spatial hub within Trevs. After a formal, the bar area is transformed into a dance floor, and is also the
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venue for Trevs’ famous open mic nights about three times per term. At the end of the week, the bar hosts its weekly Sunday Night Quiz with chances to win prizes and a rollover cash jackpot, and there are also various charity cocktail nights that happen throughout the year. On a smaller scale, the bar is a great place to hold a society social and has been the start and finishing line of many bar crawls over the years. Although the bar will quickly become a staple of college life for many, we are aware that this will be the first time that a lot of students will experience alcohol so freely and conveniently, and for some it will be the first time they experience alcohol at all. The bar is dedicated to being a safe space for everyone, so those who drink and those who do not can enjoy it equally. We have an Alcohol Awareness Officer who works closely with the Trevs Welfare team to promote safe, responsible drinking in college and all of our staff are fully trained to ensure the bar is enjoyed but not abused. One thing that makes Trevs Bar, and all the college bars special when compared to bars in general, is that it is run entirely by students for the benefit of students. Everyone that you see working behind the bar is a Trevs student and I myself am a Trevs graduate who loved the bar so much I decided to stay another year to manage it full time. We take on a new cohort of Junior Servers every November, so if you’re interested in working for the bar, I would encourage you to chat to the current staff and spend some time in the bar, whether or not you're drinking, to get a feel for the place. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] or come and find me in and around the bar itself. I hope you have a great Freshers and look forward to seeing you all in the bar soon!
Georgia Missen - Sabbatical Bar Steward
General Facilities
All facilities in College are available to MCR members be they livers in or livers out. Aside from the Mowlam Room, all the facilities below are administered by the JCR, and this is what your Services Membership pays for. However, should you have any issues with any of these facilities the MCR Exec are on hand to help you out.
Mowlam Room
The Mowlam Room is the MCR’s common room and is also available for use by fourth year undergraduate finalists (also known as Associate MCR members). We use the space for a wide variety of things, such as study during the day, watching films during the evening, and hosting cocktail nights and other functions every so often. We also use the Mowlam Room to hold general meetings of the MCR, and for any other meetings that might be necessary. You’ll be happy to know that this space can only be used by us, and will provide a space for socialising throughout the year.
Buttery
The Buttery sells a range of useful provisions, including confectionary, soft drinks, crisps and biscuits, toiletries, stationary etc. The Buttery also operates a toastie bar during the evenings. It is open every evening 8-11pm and until 12pm Fridays and Saturdays, with extra openings on some
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weekday afternoons. Anybody can apply to work in the Buttery, and applications will be advertised and open early in the year. The Buttery is run by the Buttery Committee.
Library
Trevs Library is something that we are very proud of. It is probably the best run and most well stocked college library in Durham, the collection running to several thousand books covering all subject areas. Borrowing takes place on trust, and any member of college can take out a book without any threat of late fees should you hang onto it for too long – we find that this system is the most convenient for all involved.
The Library is run by College Librarian Tim Fowler ([email protected]) and his team of student librarians. Anyone can apply to be a student librarian, which pays a small stipend, applications for which will be advertised by Tim during the year. Tim also runs library inductions at the start of the year for all new students – the MCR will be arranging times at which you will be able to have one should you want it.
The library offers a tranquil study space, wireless internet, and an impressive DVD collection. It is well used by all sections of College, and we would encourage you to check it out early on.
Sports
Trevs boasts an impressive range of sports facilities for a small college.
The main one is the Sir James Knott Hall, known as the JKH, which houses a badminton court, table tennis tables, and is used for a whole host of sporting activities besides, such as martial arts, aerobics and any other sport in need of a hall space. The JKH can be booked out through Karen Fisher, and is available for use for all students.
Trevs also has a brand new, purpose built gym, which is adjacent to the JKH. Membership costs just £30 per year, and students can use the gym as much as they like during opening hours, provided you have completed an induction. Gym inductions are organised by the JCR’s Sports and Fitness Rep, and the times at which these take place will be publicised to MCR members early on in Freshers' week so you can go along for one if you want.
Trevs also has its own tennis court out on the back lawn, which is well used, both in summer and winter. This is usually bookable through the JCR.
Music
Trevs is one of the more musical Colleges and as such has musical facilities to match. There are pianos in the music practice room in B-ground tutor room, the Dining hall, and the James Knott Hall. We have a small recording studio that can be booked out by anyone in college, which houses its own electronic piano, drum kit and other recording equipment, which is housed in the Barn. Any of these areas can also be used for general music practise of various kinds. Our Tech Team can also provide you with a whole variety of amplifiers, keyboards and other equipment.
Computing
The College has a computer room for general use, with computers connected to the University Network offering a full range of academic software as well as black and white printing facilities.
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The College has wireless internet throughout and all bedrooms additionally have Ethernet ports to connect to the network via wire.
When you first arrive at Trevs you will have to put your laptop through what is known as Quarantine. This is a compulsory check by the University to ensure that your machine is not bringing any viruses onto the University network, and to ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software. The check itself should take no more than 5 minutes to complete, but please do have a look at the Computing Information Service website (http://www.dur.ac.uk/cis/) to read up about this process before you arrive, as it will make life a lot easier for you. Having said this, the MCR Exec will be more than happy to help you out with the Quarantine procedure if needed.
TV & Video
TVs and DVD players can be found in: the MCR (Mowlam Room), SCR, the Undercroft and E- ground TV Room. There are also projector screens in the Bar and in G-Ground, (with a DVD player and Freeview).
Board Games
A wide selection of board games is available from the JCR office in exchange for a campus card. The MCR also has a complementary selection of its own which is kept in the Mowlam Room.
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Living In
This year, postgrads will be taking up the top of J block, and most of K block. Some basic details of the arrangements for living in can be found below.
Dining
Meals are served three times a day, seven days a week during undergraduate term time. You are required to show your meal card at every lunch and dinner in order to receive your food. As an example, servery times from the last year are as follows: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Monday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00 Tuesday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00 Wednesday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00 Thursday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00 Friday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00 Saturday 08:00--09:00 11:00-13:00 17:15-19:00
Sunday 08:00--10:00 12:00-13:45 17:15-19:00
Friday lunch usually consists of fish and chips, and on Saturday instead of lunch, a cooked breakfast or 'brunch' is served.
On Joint and JCR Formal nights, if you are not attending formal, you will have to sign-up for 'early dinner’. This may be achieved by writing your name on a list posted on the dining room door.
Packed lunches may be ordered from the catering staff for weekdays. You can do this at breakfast the day before, and packed lunches can be picked up at breakfast on the day they are to be taken. Also, if you know you will be late for dinner you can order your meal beforehand and have it plated and waiting for you when you arrive. A late book can be found in the servery and please ask the catering staff for more details.
Laundries
Laundries are available in K1, D1, B1 and G1. The closest one for postgrads living in J and G will therefore be the one on G1, which has two washers. Dryers are available in the other laundry rooms, however the suggestion would be to save your money and just use a drying rack instead. The machines are operated using a pre-paid key fob, which you can obtain when you arrive, and the rooms also have irons and ironing boards. If you have any problems contact the JCR Services Officer until an MCR Services Officer has been elected!
Pantries
Every postgraduate landing in Trevs comes with its own Pantry. This small kitchen contains a cooker, microwave, hotplate, toaster, fridge freezer, etc. During term time you should not need to use your pantry so much, however during the holidays it will become indispensable for cooking meals. As such, please do keep your Pantries clean at all times, it will make life a lot easier for you! Each landing is responsible for their own pantry, and although the MCR Exec are happy to sort out any problems with equipment provision, it is your job to make sure that your pantry is secure and clean. This year, the university will be helping to ensure you keep the pantries clean to
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help keep everyone safe. Please also note that we are not permitted to bring any electrical equipment of our own for cooking into the pantries or our rooms, as it has not been PAT tested by College.
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Living Out
For those living out of College, Durham is a relatively small city which can easily be crossed on foot from the far residential regions of Gilesgate and Neville’s Cross in under an hour, so you are never far away from Trevs. Livers out have access to all the College facilities in exactly the same way that Livers In do. This offers you the opportunity to always have a space to work in without being able to see your bed! In addition, we hope to run a few socials out of college in town during the year, so that the Livers Out among us aren’t always the ones having to walk up for events!
There is a large cycle rack by the entrance to college for any livers out who decide to bring a bicycle with them (bring a lock). There are also a lot of cycle racks around the University site, meaning you can cycle between lectures, college and home as long as you don’t mind the hills. As for getting food, there are a range of places available. There are three incarnations of Tesco - a supersize one in Gilesgate, a medium one in Market Square, and a smaller Express one on North Road. There is also a couple of Sainsbury’s local shops in the town centre with a larger Sainsbury's in the interestingly named suburb of Pity Me to the North of the city, and an Iceland on North Road. There are also a variety of shops including a Lidl and a Tesco in Langley Moor that are convenient for those living in and around Neville’s Cross. There are also a range of small independent shops, including an excellent greengrocer, Robinsons, and the fascinating indoor market. Be sure to visit the many side streets and find not only some wonderful shops, but also the fastest way around town.
Durham also offers a large range of good cafes, takeaways, restaurants and pubs. Some are excellent workspaces, others offer a much more social atmosphere – explore and find your favourite. If you want to relax in the local area, then Durham has numerous beautiful walks along the river and through the surrounding countryside. These provide a distraction from work and can really help when living in a small, rented room.
Livers out can also sample the delights of Trevs' dining hall by purchasing meal tickets. These are available from the porters at £5 per ticket and can be a good choice if you are working near college and need dinner.
Trevs also has a number of societies which may interest you. Smaller, and usually more social, than central societies, they offer an opportunity to partake in sports or other interests with other Trevs students. They are open to college members of every year and are thus an excellent way to immerse yourself in the college community.
Those who do live out are encouraged to come up to Trevs as often as possible as it really does give a unique feeling to your time in Durham and can quickly become your family. Spending time in the Mowlam room is an amazing way to meet other people whilst taking a break from the library, or if you just need somewhere to sit between lectures and don’t want to walk back to down the hill. However, Rory, the MCR president, may hold some drop-ins around Durham in various cafes and pubs if the demand is there for it.
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The City of Durham
Founded in 995 AD by the monks of Lindisfarne, the city of Durham has a lot of history behind it and a surprising number of hidden corners around which one may find all manner of cafés and boutiques as well as the odd Norman priory. The University itself was founded in 1832 by Bishop William van Mildert seeking to prevent the government from taking control of the lands that had belonged to the Prince Bishops of Durham.
Other Colleges
As mentioned earlier in this Handbook, Durham has 16 Colleges, which are all now located within Durham City. Previously, John Snow and Stevenson were located at Queen’s Campus in Stockton, near Middlesbrough. There is also South College opening this year on a new site just south of Trevs.
It is worth visiting the other colleges at some point in your time here, and there are a few highlights that are well worth checking out. St Aidan’s puts on a beer festival in the summer that is always a fantastic day out. There are various inter-MCR formals that happen throughout the year; one to try and go to is certainly the one at Castle, and the experience of dining in the great hall is magnificent. The various college bars are definitely something to discover as you spend time in Durham. Some are more worth it than others, but as always it comes down to personal preference!
Hill Colleges: Collingwood Grey Ustinov (Postgraduate) Van Mildert
St Mary's Josephine Butler St. Aidan’s
John Snow Stevenson
South
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Bailey Colleges:
Hatfield St Chad's St Cuthbert's Society St Hild and St Bede
St John's University (Castle)
Things to Do
Durham is a beautiful city offering a host of things to do and places to visit. Here are some of the highlights that you will definitively want to check out in your time here.
For those wanting to soak up some of the culture that Durham has to offer, there is no better trip than to the Cathedral itself. However equally good and less frequently visited is the Palace Green Museum, which is a small but high quality treasure trove of items of historical importance that the University has collected. The Oriental museum also has a very fine collection of Egyptian and Asian artefacts. Free to enter with your campus card, these two are well worth a couple of hours each.
The Botanic Gardens are possibly one of the most tranquil and beautiful places in Durham. Also free to enter with your campus card, the Botanic Gardens are great for a picnic, or just a stroll, and there is always something interesting to see.
For the latest films and theatre, the Gala Theatre is the place to go. It’s small, and not the best cinema in the world, but it does regularly show the latest blockbusters at reasonable prices. For great student plays also at reasonable prices, the Assembly Rooms Theatre usually has something running all year round, and going to watch a play, be it comedy, drama or tragedy, there is an enjoyable experience. In addition, there is a brand-new Odeon cinema in a brand new shopping centre on the river front, called The Riverwalk. Walking around the city is also an extremely popular thing to do, with the scenic escape of riverside walks offering a quick escape, or longer walks to the old Durham gardens or elsewhere giving you a more substantial break from the world of postgraduate study.
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For other forms of relaxation, there are a number of pubs and bars dotted around Durham, and they range from the student-friendly to the local-dominated. Good examples of the former that you should get to know very well are the New Inn and the Swan and Three Cygnets, both of which are reasonably priced. For a real flavour of Durham, check out some of the more local pubs that nevertheless welcome students, such as Ye Old Elm Tree, the Dun Cow, the Victoria Inn, and the Head of Steam. These places can be pricey at times, but all serve very good stuff, and are each well worth a visit. For night-time entertainment, Fabio’s Bar is good fun but quite expensive.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat, then some of the pubs mentioned above do good food, particularly the New Inn, Ye Old Elm Tree, and also one not mentioned yet, the Court Inn. Other restaurants that should be high on your list of places to try are Tango, Capriccios’, El Coto, La Spaghettata,, Tias, Zen, Fat Buddha, and all the usual chain restaurants that you come across in any high street.
Local Area
For the more adventurous types the cities of Edinburgh and York are easily accessible by rail and provide interesting days out whilst for those with a car Durham is surrounded by some wonderful countryside into Teesdale, Weardale and towards Yorkshire as well as the not too distant coastline featuring some beautiful sandy beaches just past Newcastle and for the more traditional beach trip the delights of Whitby and Scarbourgh around an hour away.
Newcastle
There is a lot to offer in Newcastle, and it’s only 15 minutes away on the train. In the daytime there are a range of art galleries (most notably the Baltic), museums (especially the Discovery Museum and the Great North/Hancock Museum) and good shopping (although if shopping is what you want nothing can beat the Metro-Centre, located on the M1-A1 before you reach Newcastle). In the evening the Theatre Royal is a good location to see larger musicals and plays whilst the Sage is fantastic for musical events, small plays and even puppet shows. Newcastle also boasts two of the best locations in the North for seeing live bands at the Metro Radio Arena and the Carling Academy. Finally, it has some brilliant restaurants with cuisine as far-fetched as a restaurant catering solely around mussels with a Mongolian restaurant next door!
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Other Places to Visit
Beamish
Although expensive Beamish Open-air Museum (themed to be 1825 and 1913) is a fantastic day out which can be reached via bus from Durham bus station in 45 minutes if timed correctly. Also one entry allows you free entry for the next year which is always a plus.
Diggerland
Near to Beamish is Diggerland, where you get to actually drive diggers. While this may sound dry, I can assure it really is fun.
Bowes Museum
A French chateau reproduced in market town of Barnard Castle to house the collection of a rich landowner's eccentric French wife, this place really is a startling find. Its star attraction is a huge silver swan automaton which it's worth timing your visit to see.
Ushaw College
A couple of miles out of Durham to the West is Ushaw College. A catholic seminary with associations to the University, this place is an architectural gem, and definitely worth a visit. Now home to only approximately 10 priests, it was once home to 300 and has the buildings and chapels to match.
The Coast
Though not always the nicest in the country, the coast lies only 15 miles from Durham. A lot of cleaning up has been done in recent years remove the leftovers of the area's mining history, however really nice spots are around, such as South Shields a little further north and Northumberland further north still.
Northumberland
Northumberland is easily accessible by car or train from Durham and has a number of major attractions on offer. I would recommend: Cragside House, Lindisfarne, the Farne Islands, Bamburgh Castle, Hadrian's Wall and of course Wallington, the ancestral home of the Trevelyan family.
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